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^MASONIC TEMPLE, 

Baltimore, December ist, i8pg. 
To the IVorshipfiit Master 

of. Lodge, A. F. &■ A. M.: 

'Dear Sir ami Brother: 

On the Centennial Anniversary of the death of Brother George 
Washington, December 14th instant, representatives of the Free- 
masons of the United States will gather at the tomb at Mount 
Vernon to pay tribute to the memory of the Father of his Country. 
The Grand Master desires that at the same time similar appropriate 
exercises shall be held by the Fraternity throughout the State. 

To this end, it is ordered that all Lodges of Freemasons in Mary- 
land shall, during the day or evening on the date mentioned, as- 
semble, either in public or private, and commemorate the occasion. 

In Baltimore city a general meeting of the Craft will be held in 
Cori:nthian Hall, Masonic Temple, at 8 o'clock p. m. 

In other localities, where it is preferred. Lodges may unite to- 
gether for the purpose, and if need be, a procession of the Craft 
may be made from the Lodge room to the place selected for a 
public assemblage. 

The following program is recommended for the occasion ; 

1. Prayer. 

2. Reading of selections from Washington's Farewell Address.. 

3. Reading of address of Bro. E. T. Schultz, Masonic Historian. 

4. An address upon the life and character of Washington, by 
a member of the Lodge, if the meeting be private, or, if preferred, 
by some one not a Mason, if a public assemblage. 

The exercises to be interspersed with music and concluded with 
a benediction. 

Masters of Lodges throughout the State are entrusted with the 
carrying out of this order and are directed to report the proceed- 
ings to Bro. J. H. Medairy, Grand Secretary, prior to January 1st, 
proximo. 

THOMAS J. SHRYOCK, 

Grand Master of Masons of Maryland. 






IVashiimton's Farewell Address, 



SELECTIONS. 

Friends, and Fellow Citizens: 

The period for a new election of a Citizen, to administer the 
Executive Government of the United States, being not far distant, 
and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be 
employed in designating the person, who is to be clothed with 
that important trust, it appears to me proper, especially as it may 
conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I 
should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline 
being considered among the number of those, out of whom a choice 
is to be made. 

In looking forward to the moment, which is intended to termi- 
nate the career of my public life, my feelings do not permit me to 
suspend the deep acknowledgment of that debt of gratitude 
which I owe to my beloved country, — for the many honors it has 
conferred upon ine; still more for the stedfast confidence with 
which it has supported me; and for the opportunities I have thence 
enjoyed of manifesting my inviolable attachment, by services 
faithful and preserving, though in usefulness unequal to my zeal. 
— If benefits have resulted to our country from these services, let 
it always be remembered to your praise, and as an instructive 
example in our annals, that under circumstances in which the 
Passions agitated in every direction were liable to mislead, amidst 
appearances sometimes dubious, — vicissitudes of fortune often 
discouraging, — in situations in which not unfrequently want of 
success has countenanced the spirit of criticism the constancy of 
your support was the essential prop of the efforts and a guaran- 
tee of the plans by which they were affected. Profoundly pene- 
trated with this idea, I shall ca'-ry it with me to the grave, as a 
strong incitement to unceasing vows that Heaven may continue 
to you the choicest tokens of its beneficence — that your union and 
brotherly affection may be perpetual — that the free constitution, 
which is the work of your hands, may be sacredly maintained — 
that its administration in every department may be stamped with 
wisdom and virtue — that, in fine, the happiness of the people of 
these States, under the auspices of liberty, may be made complete, 



by so cai'eful a i)reservation and so prudent a use of this blessing' 
as will acquire to them the glory of recommending it to the 
applause, the affection, and adoption of every nation which is yet 
a stranger to it. 

The Unity of Government which constitutes you one people, is 
also now dear to you. — It is justly so; — for it is the main Pillar iu 
the Edifice of your real independence ; the support of your tran- 
quillity at home; your peace abroad ; of your safety ; of your pros- 
perity; of that very Liberty which you so highly jirize. — But as 
it is easy to foresee, that from different causes, and from diflerent 
quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to 
weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; — as this is the 
point in your political fortress against which the batteries of 
internal and external enemies will be most constantly and actively 
(though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite 
moment, that you should properly estimate ttie immense value of 
your national Union to your collective and individual happiness; 
— that you should cherish a cordial, haljitual, and immoveable 
attachment to it, accustoming yourselves to tliink and speak of 
it as of the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity; 
Avatching for iis preservation with jealous anxiety; discounten- 
ancing whatever maj' suggest even a suspicion that it can in any 
event be abandoned, and indignantly frowning upon the first 
dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our Country 
from the rest, or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link to- 
gether the various parts. 

For this you have every inducement of sympathy and interest. 
— Citizens by birtli or choice of a common country, that country 
has a right to concentrate your affections. — The name of Ameri- 
can, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must 
always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appel- 
lation derived from local discriminations. — With slight shades of 
difference, you have the same Religion, Manners, Habits, and pol- 
itical Principles. — You have in a common cause fought and 
triumphed together. — The Independence and Liberty you possess 
are the work of joint councils, and joint efforts — of common dan- 
gers, sufferings and successes. 

But these considerations, nowever powerfully they address 
themselves to yonr sensibility, are greatly outweighed by those 
which apply more immediately to your Interest. — Here every por- 
tion of our country finds the most commanding motives for care- 
fully guarding aud preserving the Union of the whole. 



The North in an unrestrained intercourse with the South pro- 
tected by the equal Laws of a common government, finds in the 
productions of the latter great additional resources of maritime 
and commercial enterprise — and precious materials of manufac- 
turing industry. — The South in the same intercourse, benefiting 
by the agency of the North, sees its agriculture grow and its com- 
merce expand. Turning partly into its own channels the seamen 
of the North, it finds its particular navigation envigorated; — and 
while it contributes, in different ways, to nourish and increase 
the general mass of the national navigation, it looks forward to 
the protection of a maritime strength to which itself is unequally 
adapted.— The ^a^^, in a like intercourse with the West, already 
finds, and in the progressive improvement of interior communica- 
tions, by land and water, will more and more find, a valuable vent 
for the commodities which it brings from abi'oad, or manufactures 
at home. — The West derives from the East supplies requisite to 
its growth and comfort, — and what is perhaps of still greater con- 
sequence, it must of necesity owe the secure enjoyment of indis- 
spensable outlets for its own productions to the weight, influ- 
ence, and the future maritime strength of the Atlantic side of the 
Union, directed by an indissoluble community of interest, as one 
Nation. Any other tenure by which the TFe-s^ can hold this essen- 
tial advantage, whether derived from its own separate strength, 
or From an apostate and unnatural connection with any foreign 
Power, must be intrinsically precarious. 

While then every part of our Country thus feels an immediate 
and particular interest in Union, all the parts combined cannot 
fail to find in the united mass of means and efforts greater strength, 
greater resource, proportionably greater security from external 
danger, a less frequen*; interruption of their piece by foreign Na- 
tions and, what is of inestimable value ! they must derive from 
Union an exemption from those broils and wars between them- 
selves, which so frequently afflict neighbouring countries, not tied 
together by the same government ; which their own rivalships 
alone would be sufficient to produce ; but which opposite foreign 
alliances, attachments and intrigues would stimulate and embit- 
ter. — Hence likewise they will avoid the necessity of those over- 
grown Military establishments, which under any form of Govern- 
ment are inauspicious to liberty, and which are to be regarded as 
particularly hostile to Republican Liberty : In this sense it is, 
that your Union ought to be considered as a main prop of your 
liberty, and that the love of the one ought to endear to you the 
preservation of the other. 

Towards the preservation of your Government and the perma- 



6 

11 'iiey of your i)resent liappy state, it is requisite, not only that 
\')U steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowl- 
edged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of in- 
iiovation upon its principles however specious the pretexts. — One 
method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the Constitu- 
tion, alterations which will impair the energy of the system, and 
thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown.— In all 
\ he changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and 
habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of (irovern- 
ments, as of other human institutions — that experience is the 
surest standard, by which to test the real tendency of the existing 
Constitution of a Country — that facility in changes upon the 
credit of mere hypothesis and opinion exposes to perpetual change, 
from the endless variety of hypothesis and 'opinion:— and remem- 
ber, especially, that for the eflicient management of your common 
interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a Government of as 
much vigour as is consistent with the perfect security of Liberty 
is indispensable— Liberty itself will find in such a riovernment, 
"with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest (Guar- 
dian. 

The necessity of re'ipi'ocal checks in the exercise of political 
power, by dividing and distributing it into different dei)ositories, 
and constituting each the Guardian of the Public Weal against 
invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient 
and modern: some of them in our country and under our own 
eyes. — To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute 
them.— If in the opinion of the People, the distribution or modi- 
fication to the Constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, 
let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Consti- 
tution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for 
though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is 
the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed. 
— The precedent must always greatly overbalance in permanent 
evil any partial or transient benefit which the use can at anytime 
yield. — 

Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political pros- 
perity. Religion and morality are indispensable supports. — In vain 
would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should ial)our 
to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness, these Hrniest 
props of the duties of Men and Citizens. — The mere Politician, 
equally with the pious nian, ought to respect and to cherish 
them. — A voluuie could not trace all their connections with private 
;ind public felicity. — Let it simijly be asked where is the security 
f,)r property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obli- 



gation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investiga- 
tion in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the 
supposition, that morality can be mantained without religion. — 
Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education 
on minds of peculiar structure — reason and experience both forbid 
us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of le- 
ligious principle. — 

Promote then as an object of primary importance, institutions 
for the general diffusion of knowledge.— In proportion as the 
structure of a government gives force to public opinion, it is essen- 
tial that public opinion should be enlightened. 

Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations. Cultivate 
peace and harmony with all. — Religion and morality enjoin this 
conduct; and can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin 
it?— It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant 
period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and 
too novel example of a People always guided by an exalted justice 
and benevolence.— Who can doubt that in the course of time and 
things, the fruits of such a plan would richly repay any temporary 
advantages which might be lost by a steady adherence to it? Can 
it be, that Providence has not connected the permanent felicity of 
a Nation with its virtue? The experiment, at least, is recom- 
mended by every sentiment which ennobles human nature.— Alas! 
is it rendered impossible by its vices? 

In offering to you, my Countrymen, these counsels of an old and 
affectionate friend, I dare not hope they will make the strong and 
lasting impression, I could wish,— that they will controul the usual 
current of the passions or prevent our Nation from running the 
course which has hitherto marked the destiny of Nations.— But if 
I may even flatter myself, that they may be productive of some 
partial benefit; some occasional good; that they may now and 
then recur to moderate the fury of party spirit, to warn against 
the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, to guard against the impostures 
of pretended patriotism, this hope will be a full recompense for 
the solicitude for your welfare, by which they have been dic- 
tated. — 

How far in the discharge of my official duties, I have been guided 
by the principles which have been delineated, the public Records 
and other evidences of my conduct must witness to You, and to 
the World. — To myself, the assurance of my own conscience is, 
that I have at least believed myself to be guided by them. 



Though in reviewing the incidents of my Administration, I ara 
unconscious of intentional error — I am nevertheless too sensible of 
my defects not to think it probable that I may have committed 
many errors. — Whatever they may be I fervently beseech the 
Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. — 
I shall also carry with me the hope that my country will never 
cease to view them with indulgence; and that after forty-five 
years of my life dedicated to its service, with an upright zeal, the 
faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as 
myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. 

Relying on its kindness in this as in other things, and actuated 
by that fervent love towards it, which is so natural to a man, who 
views in it the native soil of himself and his progenitors for sev- 
eral generations; — I anticipate with pleasing expectation that 
retreat, in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the 
sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of my fellow citizens, 
the benign influence of good Laws under a free Grovernment, — the 
ever favourite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I 
trust, of our mutual cares, labours and dangers. 

(io. WASHINGTON. 
United States, I -,r,Q(. 
\Uh September, P'^"" 



AS A RREIE MASON, 

BY 

EDIVARD T. SCHULTZ, Masonic Historian. 



It was a happy thought suggesting- to our brethren of Colorado' 
the observance of the Centennial of the death of our illustrious 
Brother, George Waahingtcfn, by the Free Masons of the Country. 
And as the representatives of the Craft gather at the tomb at 
Mount VernoQ, it is peculiarly appropriate that simultaneously 
the whole Fraternity, throughout the land, should meet and 
with one accord unite in commemorating the occasion. 

Especially is this so in the light of subsequent events, as since 
the suggestion was made by the Grand Lodge of Colorado, our 
country has passed through a war with a foreign nation, which 
has brought to the front many heroes, both on land and sea; and 
while we are singing the praises justly due these new heroes, it is- 
very meet, right and proper that the heroes of the past genera- 
tions, to whom we are indebted for all that we hold most dear, 
should not be overlooked. 

The younger generation especially should be constantly remind- 
ed of the debt of gratitude we owe to our Revolutionary fore- 
fathers, whose patriotism, long suffering and valor made us a na- 
tion. And as the devout Musselman journeys to Mecca, so should 
Americans visit the tomb at Mount Vernon and keep alive the 
remembrance of him who was "first in war, first in peace and 
first in the hearts of his countrymen." 

So, while throughout the land to-day the life and service of the 
greatest of patriots are being recounted, the program uniformly 
involves the recitation of that most wonderful of State papers, 
wherein the prophetic vision of Washington marked out unerring- 
ly the trials and dangers to be encountered and the safe and sure 
road to national happiness and success. 

A century has demonstrated the wisdom of his views. Almost 
every aspect of the situation he portrayed has arisen, and where- 
ever his wise counsels have prevailed the results he foretold have 
been accomplished. But the history of his public life and service 
is for others to recite— to me has been assigned a sketch of hi& 



10 

Record a$ a mason. 

Some of the enemies of Freemasonry have even denied that 
Washinji:ton was a .vlason, Others allej^e that though made a 
Mason in his youth, he took no interest in Masonry in later life, 
and others assert that he renounced Masonry. There was recent- 
ly published in the organ of a so-called Christian Association, a 
statement "that from 17G8 he was practically a seoediug Mason," 
and that he was never Grand Master or Master of a Lodge. The 
falsitj' of these charges, except chat he was never installed Grand 
Master, can be as readily established as the fact that George 
Washington did live, or that he was President of the United 
States. 

made a mason. 

A Lodge of Free Masons was established at Fredericksburg, Va., 
prior to the year 1750 by Thomas Oxnard of Boston, Provincial 
Grand Master of North America. Subsequently, in 1758, this 
Lodge received a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and 
at a later period a warrant was received from the Grand Lodge of 
Virginia as the present Fredericksburg Lodge, No. 4. The old 
records of this Lodge are existing and show the following entries : 

November 4th, 5753, received of Mr. George Washington for his 
entrance £3, 8s. 

March i3d, 5758, George Washington passed Fellow Craft. 

August 4th, 5758, George Washington raised Master Mason. 

The Bible on which he was obligated and the seal of the Lodge 
are also preserved. The Bible is a small quarto volume and bears 
date "Cambridge, printed by John Field, printer to the Univer- 
sity, 1688." 

This record being an original, and having been found in posses- 
sion of the proper custodians, the lineal descendants of the origi- 
nal Lodge, would be held to be evidence in any court of law. 
Therefore, unless the enemies of our Fi-aternity can show that 
George Washington did not then live within the jurisdiction of 
Fredericksburg Lodge, or that there were two persons bearing 
that name so living at that time, they must yield to the conclu- 
sion that as he was born and raised in the vicinity of Fredericks- 
burg, Washington Avas the individual referred to in these pro- 
ceedings. 

Washington, at the time of his initiation, lacked about three 
months of being twenty-one, having been born February 22, 1782. 
It will be observed from the record, however, that an interval of 



11 

four monthis elapsed between his initiation and passing, and the 
same time intervened between his passing and raising. 

Soon after receiving the third degree he was employed by the 
Governor of Virginia on a most important and delicate mission. 
He was sent to some French military posts on the Ohio river to 
demand, in the name of the (Tovernor of Virginia, who was the 
British King's representative in the territory of which the French 
had taken possession, that they should at once depart and cease 
to intrude ou the claimed English domain. 

He left Williamsburg, the seat of the Virginia Government, on 
the 30th of November, 1758, taking with him a guide and half 
dozen backwoodsmen, and traversing a country little known, 
held conferences with Indian war chiefs and the French com- 
mandant, and returned after months of hardships and dangers, 
and made his report to the Governor. This report and his daily 
journal were published soan after, both in this country and in 
Europe, and his prudence and diplomacy met with general appro- 
bation. 

The refusal of the Frencli to evacuate the posts on the Ohio was 
followed by the contest which is known in history as the French 
and Indian war, in which our Brother Washington took an active 
part. During the next six years Washington was engaged in mili- 
tary campaigns and could not have devoted much time to attend- 
ance at Lodge meetings, and from the meagre records kept by the 
Lodge at that period we know but little of his Masonic life for a 
number of years. 

etidlisb Claim. 

Our English brethren have claimed that Washington was made 
a Mason in a Lodge attached to the Forty-sixth Irish Regiment 
during the old French w^ar. This Lodge still exists in Canada, 
and is known as "Lodge of Antiquity." It has in its possession a 
bible on which it is said he was obligated as a Mason. As this 
regiment, however, never served in the South, such an occurrence 
could only have taken place when Washington visited the North 
in 175(j. But as he was initiated, passed and raised in Fredericks- 
burg Lodge prior to the breaking out of the French war, if he took 
any obligation in this military Lodge, it must have been for other 
than the symbolic degrees. 

It might have been for the Royal Arch degree, for it is now known 
that that degree was conferred under sanction of Lodge warrants 
at that time. Indeed the Fredericksburg Lodge conferred that 
degree as early as 1753. Or, it may have been the Past Master's 



12 

degree, for this degree was in the early days frequently conferred 
on other than those elected to preside over Lodges. Or, it may 
have been simply the test or tyler's oath administered to visitors. 
Or, as Washington was made in a so-called Modern Lodge and the 
Lodge referred to being known as the Ancient, the obligation may 
have been simply of healing. 

B Craditioti. 

Tradition asserts that Washington and his Masonic brethren 
held Military Lodges during the old French war. There is a cave 
near Winchester, Va., where his headquarters for two years were 
held, which to this day is called ''Washington's Masonic Cave.''' It 
is divided into several apartments, one of which is called ''The 
Lodge Room,'" and it is said that Washington and his Masonic 
brethren held lodges in this cavern. In the spring of 1844 the 
Masons of that vicinity held a celebration there to commemorate 
the event. 

1)1$ Intercourse with tfte Jlrmy Cojiges. 

While there were many Masonic Lodges scattered throughout 
the American Colonies in the early period of our history, unfor- 
tunately but few of their records have been preserved, and those 
that are existing are very meagre. We, therefore, know nothing- 
further of the Masonic life of Washington until the breaking out 
of the Revolutionary War. He was appointed Commander-in- 
Chief and took command of the army at Cambridge, near Boston,, 
in 1775. 

While the Connecticut line was encamped at Roxbury, near 
Boston, the brethren in it applied to the Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts to establish a Masonic Lodge in their camp, and a dispen- 
sation or warrant was issued bearing date the 15th of February, 
1776, for a Lodge called American Union. This was the first 
Lodge organized in the Continental army, and, although Wash- 
ington's duties did not permit of his attendance on its meetings, 
he often joined his Masonic brethren within its walls, and ever in- 
culcated among its members, both by precept and example, a love 
of Masonry. 

This Lodge went with his army when it removed to New York, 
and held its meetings there while the city remained in possession 
of the Americans. Its last meeting there was on the 15th of 
August 1770, a few days before the disastrous battle of Long 
Island, in which a number of its officers and members were killed 
or taken prisoners. Having subsequently lost others of its officers 
and members, the Lodge stood closed without day, and no fur- 
ther meeting was held until March 1777. 



18 

Among the officers of the Lodge taken prisoners in the several 
engagements at that time was the "Worshipful Master, Bro. Col. 
Joel Clark, who subsequently died while in captivity, and the 
Junior Warden, Bro. Otho H. Wiliams, of Maryland (who was 
taken prisoner at Fort Washington.) Brother Williams received 
the degrees of Masonry in American Union Lodge while the army 
was encamped at Roxbury, and a month thereafter was made its 
Junior Warden. 

There were ten Army Lodges organized during the Revolution- 
ary War. "Masonic records, and the concurrent testimony of 
Washington's compeers, both show that while Commander-in- 
Chief of tlie American Revolutionary Army he countenanced the 
establishment and encouraged the labors of those Military 
Lodges, wisely considerins; them as schools of urbanity, well cal- 
culated to disseminate those mild virtues of the heart, so orna- 
mental to human character, and particularly useful to correct the 
ferocity of soldiers and alleviate the miseries of war. While the 
duties of his high position engrossed much of his time, yet he 
found frequent opportunities to visit these Lodges, and thought 
it no degredation to his dignity to stand there on a level with his 
brethren." 

The late Grand Master of Maine, Simon Greenleaf, said he had 
often heard his father (Captain Moses Greenleaf) allude to Wash- 
ington's visits to the Lodge of which he (Moses Greenleaf) was 
Master, Washington Army Lodge, chartered by the Grand Lodge 
of Massachusetts. 

Among the ten Army Lodges chartered during the war, was one 
by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, known as Lodge No. 27, 
under its registry, for the benefit of the brethren of the Maryland 
Line (there being as yet no Grand Lodge in Maryland). This 
Lodge was officered by three distinguished Maryland soldiers, 
Gen. Mordecai Gist, W. M.; Col. Otho Holland Williams, S. W., and 
Maj. Archibald Anderson, J. W. Brother Gist was a member and 
Past Master of old Lodge No. 16 (under Pennsylvania registry), 
at Baltimore. Brother Williams, as stated, received the degrees 
in American Union Lodge. Brother Anderson probably received 
the degrees in the same Lodge, although he may have received 
them in old Lodge 34, Talbot Court House. 

June 23, 1779, Washington established his headquarters at New 
Windsor, on the Hudson. The following day American Union 
Lodge met at Nelson's Point and proceeded to West Point to cele- 
brate the festival of St. John the Baptist, being joined by a num- 
ber of Masonic brethren from the brigades there and by General 
Washington and his family. 

Addresses were delivered by Rev. Dr. Hitchcock and Maj.Wli- 



14 

Ham Hull (afterwards General Hull of the war 1812). Dinner, 
music, toasts and songs closed the entertainment. Washinj^ton 
returned to his barge, attended by the wardens and secretary of 
the Lodge, amidst a crowd of brethren, the music playing "'God 
save America.'' 

At the close of 177!), Washington's headquarters were again at 
Morristown, N. J., where they had been in 1776 and 1777. Here 
the American Union Lodge was again at work, and also various 
other military lodges. On the 27th of December American Union 
Lodge met to celebrate the festival of St. John the Evangelist. 
Besides the regular members of the Lodge present, the record 
shows the names of sixty-eight visiting brethren, one ofwh(yvi was 
Washington. 

At this meeting a petition was read, representing the present 
state of Freemasonry to the several Deputy Grand Masters in 
the United States, desiring them to adopt some measures for ap- 
pointing a Grand Master over said States. This petition was 
ordered to be circulated among the Army Lodges, and a committee 
was appointed from these Lodges to meet in Morristown to take 
the matter into consideration. The committee met on the 7th 
of February, 1780, a convention was organized, in the deliberations 
of which Past Master Gen. Mordecai Gist and Bro. Otho Holland 
Williams took an active and prominent part, the former being^ 
jjresident of the convention and the latter its secretary. 

Brother Williams presented an address to be delivered to the 
Grand Masters of the Grand Lodges of the United States, which 
after deploring the unhappy condition of the Craft, growing out 
of the war with Mother Country, under whose authority Masonry 
was held in the Colonies, recommended "the establishment of 
one Grand Lodge in America, to govern all other Lodges of 
whatever degree or denomination licensed, or to be licensed upon 
the Continent." It was also suggested that some brother be 
selected to preside over such Grand Lodge whose merit and 
capacity should be adecpiate to a station so important and 
elevated. 

nominated as Grand master and General Grand master. 

In 1777 the Grand Lodge of Virginia was organized, and it recom- 
mended to its constituents the name of George Washington as the 
most proper person to be elected the first independent Grand Mas- 
ter of Virginia. Washington at that time had held no ofliclal 
position in Masonry, and he modestly declined the intended honor, 
for two reasons: First, he did not consider it masonically legal, 
that one who had never been installed as Master or Warden of a 
Lodge, should be elected Grand Master; and second, his country 
claimed at the time all his services in the tented field. 



15 

Although the name of Washington does not appear in the peti- 
tion issued by the Army Lodges, yet it was formerly signified to 
the Grrand Lodges that he was their choice, while the proceedings 
of the Army Lodges were in progress, an emergent meeting of the 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was held at Philadelphia January 
13th, 1780, to consider the propriety of appointing a General 
Grand Master over all the Grand Lodges formed or to be formed in 
the United States; upon ballot it was determined that it would be 
for the benefit of Masonry that there should be a General Grand 
Master, and upon ballot his Excellency, George Washington was 
unanimously chosen to fill that position, and this action was or- 
dered to be sent to the other Grand Lodges of the Country. 

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts while favoring the appoint- 
ment of Washington as General Grand Master, finally concluded 
"That no determination upon the subject could with the proprie- 
ty and justice due the Craft at large be made by this Grand Lodge, 
until a general f)eace shall happily take place throughout the 
Continent." 

The few other Grand Lodges existing in the Country at the 
time appear not to have talten action upon the proposition sub- 
mitted to them by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Here the 
matter ended, but from ttie action of the Army Lodges and the 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, "arose, undoubtedly the wide- 
spread application of the title of General Grand Master to 
Washington, an historical error," which was never fully eradi- 
cated from the minds of Brethren of his day, and for years after 
his death. 

Three old Brethern of our jurisdiction Elijah Stansbury, (then 
91 years old), Nicholas Brewer and David Martin stoutly main- 
tained until the day of their death, that Washington had been 
General Gi'and Master of Masons in the United States, and this 
impression was not confined to the United States even during the 
life-time of Washington, for he received in 178(5, a petition from 
Cape Francois, San Domingo, addressed to him as "Grand Master 
of America," soliciting a lodge warrant for brethren on that Island. 

Tfppointed morsbipful master. 

In 1782, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania isoued a warrant for 
the formation of a Lodge l^nown as No. 89 under its registry, at 
Alexandria, Va. 

From the records of this Lodge it is learned that on St. John 
the Baptist's Day 1784, among the visitors present was Bro. Wash- 
ington. After an instructive lecture by the Worshipful Master, ac- 
companied by Washington, the Lodge proceeded to Wise's tavern, 
where the Brethren diued together, and after spending the after- 



16 

noon in "Masonic festivity," retired to the Lodge room, "where 
the Worshipful Master (Adam), with the unanimous consent of 
the Brethren, Avas pleased to admit his Excellency General Wash- 
ington as an honorary member of Lodge No. 3!).'' 

The Lodge applied for and received from the Grand Lodge of 
Virginia, April 28th, 1788., a warrant to be known as Alexandria 
Lodge No. 22, George Washington being nominated as its first 
Worshipful Master, and at the annual election of officers held 
December 20th, 1788, Washington ,was re-elected for a second 
term, serving until St. John the Evangelist's day 1789. 

After the death of Washington the Lodge applied to the Grand 
Lodge of Virginia to change the name of the Lodge to Washing- 
ton — Alexandria Lodge in compliment to their first Worsliipful 
Master, by which designation it is still known. 

Intercourse and Correspondence with Brand Eod^es. 

After the British troops evacuated Philadelphia in 1778, Wash- 
ington visited that city, and while there the Grand Lodge of 
Pennsylvania celebrated the festival of St. John the Evangelist. 
Washington was present on the occasion, and was honored with 
the chief place in the procession, being supported on his right by 
the Grand Master, and on his left by the Deputy Grand Master. 
More than three hundred brethren joined in this procession. 
They met at the College, and, with their illustrious brother, clad 
as a Mason, marched in larocession to Christ Church, where a Ma- 
sonic sermon, for the benefit of the poor, was preached by the 
Rev. Bro. William Smith, D. D., Grand Secretary of the Grand 
Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

Brother Smith and the Deputy Grand Master of Pennsylvania, 
Bro. John Coats, a few years subsequently removed to the East- 
ern Shore of Maryland, where, in 1788, they were the prime 
promoters of the organization of the Grand Lodge of Maryland. 

One has written: "Washington's Masonic history might have 
been given by his contemporaries, in all its proportions, with full- 
ness of detail. Now, it is like a beautiful column in ruins — its 
parts V>roken, scattered and moss grown. The unrecorded inci- 
dents in the Masonic history of Washington, which his compeers 
used to relate with so much satisfaction, are now, in the eye of 
history, among the uncertain traditions of the past," but, for- 
tunately, there are existing veritable records and documents to 
disprove the assertions of our enemies that Washington in his ma- 
turer years took no interest in Freemasonry. 

In his reply to the resolutions adopted by the Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts, December 27, 1792, occurs the following: 

"To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy the benevo- 
lent design of the Masonic Institution, and it is most fervently to 



17 

he wished that the conduct of every member of the Fraterniti/, as 
well as those ijuhlicatioits that discover the principles which 
actuate them, may tend to conviiice mankiud that tlie grand object 
of Masonry is to jjromote the happiness of the Iranian race " 

In a letter to Kiiijj: Dtivid's Jjodge, in Newport, Rlunle Island, 
August 17, 1790, he says: 

^' Being persiiaded that a Just application of tlie jui )i.ci pies 07/ 
which the Masonic frat^irnity is founded must be productive of 
private virtue and public prosperit]/, I shall always be h(rppy to 
advance the interests 0/ the Society, and to be considered by them 
as a. deserving bri ther.'" 

In a letter to the Grrand Lodge of Maryland, dated November 8, 
1798, at the height of the attacks of the Illurainati upon Free- 
masonry, occurs the following- 

"<S'o far as F am acquainted wi h the principles and doctrines of 
Freemasonry, I conceive them to be founded on benevolence, and to 
be exercised only for the good of mankind. I cannot, therefore, 
upon this ground, mithdraiv my approbation from it.'' 

f)H Tnauduration a$ Pmident. 

On the 'A-ith of April 17 i) W i-iliiii^toa wi-i iu iti^'urated Presi- 
dent of the United States, theoatii of offi(;e being administered l)y 
Brother Robert R.. Livingsto'i, Chancellor of the State of New 
York, and Grrand Master of Masons. The Bible used upon the oc 
casion was taken from the Altar of St. John's Lodge by its Master, 
(General Jacob Morton, who was Marshall of the day. The Bible 
is still among the relics preserved by St. John's Lodge No. 1 of 
New York City, and of course is most highly prized by its mem 
bership. 

It is suitably inscribed, and with portrait of Washington, clos- 
ing with the following lines written a few years previously by Rev. 
Dr. Haven, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which in my youth- 
ful days was familiar to every school-boy and girl. 

"Fame spread her wings, and loud her trumpet blew: 
Great Washington is near I What praise His due? 
What Title sh ill he ti ive V She paused -aad sai I, 
NOT ove; his name alone strikes every title dead I" 

1)1$ Intercourse with the Craft of marvland. 

The larger part of the District of Columbia was ceded by tlie 
State of Maryland and continued under its Masonic jurisdiction 
until 1811. In the year 178i) the Grand Lodge of Maryland 
issued a warrant for Potomac Lodge, No. 0, at Greorgetown, and 
on the r3th of September, 17!)o, a warrant for the forma 
tion of Federal Lodge, No. 15, at Washington. Si.\ days later. 



18 

and before the organization of this Lodge was fully com- 
pleted, there took place in Washington under the auspices of 
the (xrand Lodge of Maryland, a most important Masonic cere- 
mony, certainlj'^ the most important and interesting that had 
occurred up to that period in the history of our country, if not 
since. It Avas the laying of the corner-stone of the Capitol of the 
United States. 

The ceremony was committed l)y the commissioners who had the 
building in chai-ge to the Masonic Fraternity; and Joseph Clark, 
Master of Amanda Lodge, No. 13, at Annapolis, and Junior Grand 
Warden of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, acted as Grand Master 
pro tern. Bro. Clotworthy Stephenson, the newly appointed 
Senior Warden of Federal Lodge, acting as Grand Marshal. 

On the morning of the 18th of September, 1793, Potomac Lodge, 
No. 9, was visited by Alexandria Lodge, No. 22, and the two 
Lodges proceeded to the south bank of the Potomac River and 
received the President and his suite. A procession was formed 
headed by the President and preceeded by a band of music, 
marched to the President's square in Washington, where they were 
met and saluted by Federal Lodge, No. 1.1, "in all their elegant 
badges and clothing, headed by Bro. Joseph Clark, Right AVor- 
shipful Grand Master pro tem, and conducted to a large Lodge 
room prepared for the purpose of their reception." 

The procession marched with music playing, drums beating 
and colors Hying to the Capitol Grounds, where the lines opened 
order, through which proceeded the Grand Sword Bearer, followed 
by the Grand Master pro tem on the left, the President of the 
United States in the centre, and the Worshipful Master of No. 22 
V^irginia on the right; The President, the Grand Master pro teru 
and the Worshipful Master of No. 22 taking their stand to the 
east of a large stone, and all the Craft forming a circle Westward, 
Washington, with the assistance of the Grand Master pro tem and 
the Worshipful Masters present performed tlie ceremonies by the 
Masonic Rites prescribed for laying of Corner Stones from time im- 
memorial. 

"The Grand Marshal delivered the Commissioners a large silver 
plate, with an inscription thereon, which the Commissioners 
ordered to be read and was as follows: 

" 'The south-east corner-stone of the ("apitol of the United 
States of America, in the city of Washington, was laid on the 18th 
day of September, 17!);}, in the thirteenth year of American Inde- 
pendence, in the tirst year of the second term of the presidency of 
George Washington, whose virtues in the civil administration of 
his country have been as conspicuous and beneficial as his mili- 
tary valor and prudence have been useful in estabh'shing her lib- 



19 

erties, and in the year of Masonry 5793, by the President of the 
United States, in concert with the Grand Lodg:e of Maryland, sev- 
eral Lodg-es under its jurisdiction, and Lodge JS'o. 22, from Alexcm- 
dria, Virginin. Thomas Johnson, David Stewart, and Daniel 
Carroll, (commissioners. Joseph Clark, E.. W. Gr. M. pro tern. 
James Hoban and Stephen Hallate, Architects. Collin William- 
son, Master Mason.' 

"The artillery discharged a volley. The plate was then deliv- 
ered to the President, who, attended by the Grand Master pro 
tern., and three Most Worshipful Masters, descended to the cavaz- 
ion trench and deposited the plate, and laid it on the corner-stone 
of the Capitol of the United States of America, on which were de- 
posited corn, wine, and oil, when the whole cona^regation joined 
in reverential prayer, which was succeeded by Masonic chanting 
honors, and a volley from the artillery. 

'The President of the United States, and his attendant breth- 
ren, ascended from the cavazion to the east of the corner-stone, 
and there the Grand Master pro tein., elevated on a triple rostrum, 
delivered an oration fitting the occasion, which was received with 
brotherly love and commendation. At intervals during the deliv- 
ery of the oration, several volleys were discharged by the artil- 
lery. The ceremonj' ended in prayer. Masonic chanting honors, 
and a 15- volley from the artillery." 

The gavel used by Washington on this occasion is in the posses- 
sion of Potomac Lodge, of Georgetown. It was used in our State 
on the occasion of the laying of the coimer-stone of our Temjjle ; 
also laying corner-stones of the City Hall, New Postoffice, the 
Deaf and Dumb Asylum, of Frederick, as well as on many other 
occasions in various parts of the country. 

Potomac Lodge very kindly loans this gavel to the Fraternity 
when desired, but it is never permitted to leave its custody, 
unless a committee of the Lodge accompany it. 

At the expiration of his second term as President, Washington 
retired to Mt. Vernon, but so imminent had the danger of a Avar 
with France become, that a provisional army was ordered by 
Congress to be raised, and Washington was tendered and reluct- 
antly accepted the appointment of Commander-in-Chief. He ar- 
rived in Baltimore November 7th, 1798, and stopped at the Foun- 
tain Inn on Light street (on the site now occupied by the Carroll- 
ton Hotel,) on his way to Philadelphia, to arrange the details of a 
perfect militarj' organization 'of the country for the anticipated 
contest,"' when Bro. William Belton, then Grand Master, present- 
ed to him a copy of "Maryland Ahiman Rezon," ordered by resolu- 
tion of the Grand Lodge. 

To this address Washington replied by letter dated Elkton, 
November 8th, 1798, an extract from which has already been quot- 
ed. This letter is in the archives of the Maryland Historical Society 



20 

of this city. It was jJi-csciitcMl to the Society sonic cif^-lit or ten 
years since \)y a dan^hter of P. U. M. Cliarles (jiinian, ainonj; 
whose effects it was found after liis death. 

In the ohl Masonic Hail, St. Paul street, there hun^ in tlie Blue 
J.od^re room, over tlie Master's chair, an oil portiait of Washinj::- 
ton, helonfjin^' to Concordia Lodjj^e. At the completion of the new 
Temple it was hunt; in tlie Lil)rar\' and was there at the burning; 
ot the Temple Christmas, 18!)0. Since which it has disappeared. 
It is an interesting relic and should, if possible, be recovered. 
It represents nearly the entire form of Washinf^ton clad in 
the i;:arl) of the period, and suspended around his neck by 
a ribbon is a Past Master's jew'el; in his right hand is a letter 
postmarked Elkton, November 8, 1798, addressed to Concordia 
Lodge, No. 13, Baltimore, Md. In the left hand corner are the 
words Franc, (t. W., the natural inference to be drawn fnim which 
is that Washington wrote a letter to tlie Lodge at that time. Our 
venerable brother, James M. Anderson, who but a few days 
since was laid to rest by his Masonic brethren, told me that he 
had seen a letter signed by Wasliington, in wliich he had acknowl- 
edged the compliment paid him by Concordia Lodge in having 
his portait painted and hung in its Lodge room. 

A well-founded tradition among the old brethren of Washing- 
ton Lodge, No. o, is, that on one occasion Washington visited 
their Lodge while it was located at FelTs Point in a house that 
is, or was, a few years since, still standing on Gough street. 

f)\s Death and Burial. 

On the 12th of December, 1791), Wasliington was attacked with 
a cold, with soreness of the throat. On the following day tlie in- 
flammation had increased, and in the night became alarming, but 
owing to the stormy weather the services of his family physician, 
Bro. Dr. James Craik, were not obtained until about 11 o'clock 
Saturday morning, by which time the disease had made such alarm 
ing progress that two eminent consulting jihysicians wei-e sent 
lor. These were his Masonic brethren, Dr. Dick, Past Master of 
the Alexandria Lodge, and Dr. Gustavus R. Brown, of Port 
Tobacco, Past Grand Master of Masons in Maryland. But none of 
them could afford relief, and he quietly and peacefully passed 
away the same evening (Saturday, December 14tli, 1799) between 
ten and eleven o'clock. 

A comuittea of Alexandria Lodge took charge of the funeral 
arrangements. Invitations were extended to Potomac Lodge, No. 
9, of Georgetown, and Bro(jk Lodge, No. 47, of Alexandria, to join 
with Lodge No. 22 in i»aying Masonic honors to their deceased 
brother. The funeral took place Wednesday, December IS, 1799 
Masonic servi(^es l)eingled l)y Brother Dick, the Master of Alexan' 
dria Lodge. 



21 

The painful intelli<;ence of the death of Wasliinf^ton ili<l not 
reach Baltimore until Tuesday, December 17. The Mas^onic 
fraternity of this city at once took steps for the purpose of 
paying? proper respect to the memory of their distin- 
firuished Brother. A meeting of the Masters, Wardens and 
members of the Gf rand Lodge residing in Baltimore was called, 
and met accordingly at the Concordia Lodge Room, Wed- 
nesday, the 18th December, when, as we learn from the newspa- 
pers of the day, the following action took place: 

''Resolved, That a trilnite of the highest respect in their power 
to evince should he paid to the memory of their deceased Brother, 
General Washin«tox. For this purpose it was determined that 
a procession should be made from Washington Lodge Room, Fell's 
Point, on Sunday next, at 11 o'clock, A. M." 

In accordance wuth the above arrangement the Brethren assem- 
bled at Washington Lodge Room, Fells' Point, on Sunday, Dec. 
23nd, "from which place they proceeded in solemn procession 
(the gentlemen of the Volunteer Band attached to the 27th 
Regiment attending, who performed several dirges suitable to 
the occasion,) to the Presbyterian Church, where an excellent 
oration calculated to impress on the minds of the auditors a last- 
ing sense of the virtues of their deceased friend and Brother, 
General George Washington, was delivered by a member (Dr. 
Crawford, probably) of Amicable Lodge No. 35." 

The civic and military procession in honor of Washington took 
place in Baltimore, January 1st, 1800, upon which occasion it was 
estimated that there were 5,000 persons in line, of whom 1,500 
were military. Rev. Dr. Allison delivered the oration. 

The Brethren in Baltimore were the first to pay Masonic funeral 
honors to the memory of Brother Washington, In various parts 
of the country similar ceremonies were performed at later dates. 
At Frederick the fraternity joined with the citizens in a proces- 
sion on the 33nd Feliruary. 

In fitting remembrance today, while our Representatives gather 
for the purpose at the sacred tomb at Mount Vernon, the whole 
Fraternity assemble in their Lodge rooms throughout the nation 
and unite In paying tribute to the memory of him who was "First 
in War, first in Peace, first in the hearts of his Countrymen," 
and no less first in the affections of his Masonic brethren. 

"Ere mature manhood marked his youthful brow. 

He sought our altar and he made his vow— 
Upon our tesseled tioor he trod. 

Bended his knees and placed his trust in God ! 
Through all his great and tilorious life lie stood 

A true, warm brother, foremost e're in good, 
And when he died, amid a nation's gloom. 

His mourning brethren bore him to his tomb." 



W84 



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